[ open ]

[cargoed]

Who: riza hawkeye, lance, and/or you!
Where: all around the temple
When: over the course of the temple stay.
Rating pg13 for now - will update if necessary!
What: this is a catch-all for lance and riza for any and all plotting/scenarios we want to get to and play out. :3 sickness and other all combined!

PRE-SICKNESS

LANCE
[ getting back to the temple was a relief. lance had been pretty much done with living underground, and robots, and lightning storms, and also the temporary death of an entire population???? a long time ago. like. probably the second it happened. but he was part of voltron, and he always would be, which means he was there to help for as long as he was needed and that just happened to be a very, very, very long time?

he doesn't really remember the last time he slept. or, well, he does - it just happened to be quick naps here and there. but now that they're back, he's just...trying to find his way back to his room. or was it the kitchens? no it was probably the kitchens, for a midnight snack, right before going to bed.

so when lance bumps into you in the hallway, or as you're leaving your room, or really- anywhere else, he's...sorry? kind of? he'll open his mouth to say something, and it will turn immediately into a yawn. just give him a second. ]

--ahhh! [ and then a stretch, and probably a rub of his eyes. ] Sorry. This isn't...the kitchens, is it? Quiznak.

RIZA HAWKEYE
[ when riza arrives back at the temple, she first does her check. names, people, places. the fact the rain is gone is a big plus, and she knows that roy will appreciate that, but that's when the others start arriving. when the sickness starts to set in. she can feel something different happening in the air around her, and that's what has her on edge.

has her on edge, and pushes her out into the rest of the temple. the garden is already grown over, sure, but riza is more concerned, specifically, with the new arrivals. she needs to check in with everyone from struxta, to make sure that they're all safe and unharmed from the last world, but she can't help but gravitate towards the faces she doesn't recognize- whether it's around the temple, or out in the forest, because she knows just how terrifying and isolating this place can be.

the dead plants don't really help the mood, either.

but riza isn't exactly one to be turned off by the surroundings. whatever astoria is doing, or not doing, there are still new arrivals and lost faces and riza steps right back into the role she's started to collect for herself. a small smile, as she catches their eyes. ]

Do you need help getting somewhere? You can get turned around in here.

SICKNESS

LANCE
[ see, the thing is - lance knows colds.

he's the uncle of a whole slew of kids, of all ages. he might have been the youngest sibling, but he was the closest to the younger kids. to his family. and the thing about kids? they get sick. a lot. a lot a lot. he also happened to be the favorite, which meant that whenever anyone used to get sick, it was lance who would be asked for, who would be in charge of that.

so when the whole freaking temple gets sick? lance's uncle genes kick in. does anyone need help? no? well. too bad he's going to be there anyway, being weirdly concerned and protective.

plus? his whole water controlling abilities thing that astoria gave him actually helps. ]

Hey- you thirsty? Need anything? [ is it okay that he's ducked his head right in here, wherever you may be? you'll have to be the judge of that.

and then a pause. ] Are you okay?

RIZA HAWKEYE
[ when everyone starts to fall ill, riza's uncomfortable feeling from earlier is more wholly understood, and in a matter of a day she shifts directly into her more professional, more serious, more damage control side of herself. she starts to figure out where she can find blankets, where she can find clothes, how she can get the invisible figures that move around this temple to bring her what she wants and when.

she takes care of roy, first. as well as hughes, ed, winry (she didn't realize her little group of people from home had grown so large) and then she is off back around the temple, looking directly for those who look off and approaching them almost a bit too directly. she has a very specific air about her, when she does. one that doesn't seem to be open to being argued with. it resembles something like a mother, or a teacher, something caring but also expectant. ]

How do you feel? [ it doesn't matter if she knows you or not. if you're wandering around, and feel bad, riza will be there looking over you, pressing her wrist to your forehead. if you try to lie, to say something about being fine, she's going to give you a look that looks a lot like she's looking directly through you. like she can see every lie you've ever told. is that the fever? or just riza? will you ever know? ]

WILDCARD

[ COME AT ME FRIENDS ]

Comments

[juniberries]

It's only a cough... [And the hoarseness of her voice probably doesn't at all help her attempts at being dismissive of not being That Sick, turning her head once more as she clears her throat.

Her second attempt at speaking sounds much better, ears perking up at the mention of tea and 'other stuff.']

Oh? What else did you bring? [She scoots closer to her bedside table, leaning forward.] Blankets?

[cargoed]

Yeah, that definitely 'only sounds like a cough'.

[ he sets it down and then goes to move to sit a little further down the bed, raising his brows at her curiosity. ]

Tea, honey, lemon- that's usually the best for colds? My mom used to used spices but I don't trust anything in that kitchen. [ he shrugs. #foodshame on you, astoria. ]

Blankets, some....I think it's soup? Kind of looked like broth when I grabbed it. And tissues. Or- this fantasy island equivalent of tissues. [ he pauses, looking at her a bit expectantly. ] If you need anything else I can go get it, though.

[juniberries]

It is!

[And she's too stubborn to admit otherwise, crossing her arms in a huff, to just showcase how fine she is and that his concern is for naught. Even if...she's thankful for him bringing her tea like he asked, and at the mention of soup her stomach does rumble a bit.]

There are others who have come done with far worse... [She continues, leaning forward to take the mug of tea in hand, blowing it carefully before taking a sip.

It tastes vaguely similar to a concoction her father used to make for her when she was younger, light and simple, though it had been much sweeter. But still, she exhales, expression warming over, and she moves to sit closer to him, tea still in hand.]

But...thank you Lance. You really didn't have to bring me all this. I truly appreciate it.

[Another pause as she takes another sip, looking over at him.]

So you've spoken with both Keith and Shiro?

[cargoed]

[ the worst part about this is the fact that lance would probably have kept arguing with her about it, sticking out his tongue and huffing. the only issue with that, however, is that he has nieces and nephews, he knows what happens when you get into a stubborn-off with someone who has decided one way or another that they’re sick, and it never ends well.

so instead, he is patient, watching her as she crosses her arms in front of her chest and nodding, once, at her statement. ]

Probably. But there is always going to be someone who has it worse- not just because there’s a weird cold running around. It doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t take care of yourself, too.

[ and, you know, if allura notices the way he may or may not be super closely watching her drink the tea just to make sure it actually tastes good...well. Hopefully she’ll be a bro and not mention it, though he does visibly relax when she doesn’t completely spit it out. When she mentions how he didn’t have to bring her everything, he just kind of shrugs. ]

I just grabbed what I could find. If you don’t need something from it, I’m sure i can force it on Shiro and Keith. [ which all things considered, is a fantastic segue into her question - the words immediately pulling lance’s eyes down to his lap, his whole body deflating a bit. ]

Yeah, a bit.

[juniberries]

[Her expression softens a bit, stubbornness waning a bit in lieu of Lance's patience. It's still strange how quickly everyone has changed. Shiro and Keith in a more obvious sense since their...time jump, so to speak. But with Lance...

It's gradual. But one she's noticed, and something she does truly admire even if her being sick has made her a bit tetchy.

And he does make decent tea. Even if its taste is a tad different from how she prepares it. Or maybe it's just the stuffy nose...

There's a hum, an agreement, though she's loathe to admit that everything he's brought her is very much needed. But with Keith and Shiro, the way his body seems to deflate a bit at the mention of them doesn't go without notice.

She's quiet as she takes another sip of her tea, before setting it aside, bringing her hand to rest at his knee as she leans is.]

Have...they gotten worse?

[She knows they've taken ill. That much is certain. But the troubled look easily read on Lance's face has her frowning with mutual concern.]

[cargoed]

[ lance thinks about that conversation with keith, how he'd responded and how keith had responded in return. he still feels guilty about it, though not necessarily the reasons - rather how he'd taken that frustration, in a way, back out on him. it makes him feel a little out of control, a little too much like he's just a kid, and he hates it.

so when allura asks, he sighs, running a hand down his face. part of him says to lie to her, to tell her they're fine and getting better and that everything is going to be fine. but lance isn't a liar, he's never been good at it and he doesn't think he ever will be.

plus- a good part of him just. wants to be able to talk to her. about anything at all, really, it didn't have to be about a death-sickness while they were all stuck on some weird magic planet, but in the moment this is what he has. ]

Not really... [ a pause, and then another sigh. ] No. [ he turns to look at her, his brows furrowing - concerned and worried and stressed and...a little scared. but if they meet eyes, he'll turn his back to his lap, ]

Keith thinks... [ did he even want to bring this up? yes. yes he did. ] He thinks that this...whatever you all have, might be the same sickness that wiped everyone out back in Struxta. [ he fidgets with the sleeve of his jacket. ] And I know there are people here that are looking into it- doctors and stuff, but. He said some stuff that made me really uncomfortable, and like, I know why he did, I do, even if I kind of yelled at him when he mentioned it...

[ another pause, another pointed moment that he doesn't turn and look at allura. ]

I know I'm nagging, and probably making things worse, and I grab too much stuff that other people probably need and can't really? Do anything? But-

[ his voice goes soft, his eyes shifting back up. ]

I just need you to get better. [ . . . ] I need everyone to get better.

[juniberries]

Lance... [She had been quiet all throughout him speaking, permeating the silence that follows with his name, and her hand reaching out to his so that she can take it, thread her fingers through his.] I...will admit, that I have similar worries about what this disease may entail. But I also have faith that all of us here will pull through. Together.

[And she brings his hand in hers to rest at her lap, clasping her other hand over them, gazing intently at him with a soft look, brows creasing. Her sickness isn't getting any worse, not like what she's heard from the others, but her stubbornness in her feeling fine is to counter the fear that lays beneath the surface for her friends and fellow allies.

She understands fully where Lance is coming from. And honestly, though she doesn't know the context, there is a part of her that understands why he would yell at Keith. They've kind of always been at odds, even as friends.]

And...while you can be a bit much at times, right now, that isn't the case.

I promise you, I will get better. All of us here in the Circle...we aren't Struxta. We will pull through.

[And then, because it's gone unsaid, but she knows him well enough to piece together what lies beneath the surface of what he's saying...]

None of us are going to leave you behind, Lance.

[cargoed]

[ his eyes move from her to their hands, watching the way her fingers slip through his. his chest tightens for a brief second, his heart jumping inside, but he's more grateful for the contact than he's...nervous? excited? about the fact her fingers are in his. how warm her hand is in his.

a bigger part of lance wishes that his chest could just calm down, considering what they're talking about and what has brought the conversation up. lance is terrified, and that fear doesn't just go away. instead, he's just....also dealing with how his heart is beating kind of fast.

but then allura moves their hands to her lap, and lance's eyes lift back up to her face, and the butterflies fall away to a kind of ease that comes from just how determined she is as she answers. and okay, maybe he does kind of believe her when she says she'll get better, and maybe he does feel a bit better, and lance feels himself smile a bit at her through it. ]

You're very persuasive when you want to be. [ and then, as allura gets right to the heart of what lance couldn't really say, he lets out a breath, his eyes drifting back to their hands, her lap, anywhere else but her face. ]

I know I just- [ worry, freak out, know i can't do this on my own. ] I just want to help. If I can.

[juniberries]

[She hums playfully in acknowledgement, and even as he refuses to look at her, she does sit closer, the side of her body against his, bringing her head to rest at his shoulder. It's...a comfort, to have him here. Of everyone from their universe, she's truly glad that Lance is among them if they truly had to be here.

Because, barring Coran, he's the one she feels closest to.

And, she does still have the same fear as Lance does regarding the sickness. But, she's not lying when she says she knows they'll all pull through.

Because...they have to. They've been through much worse, after all.]

You are helping, as much as you can. You do not have to know magic, or be a healer, in order to help.

[cargoed]

[ allura moves to settle against his side, and lance lets out a breath - his whole body seeming to relax with the weight of her. it's a lot to think about, if he gave himself the time to, but for right now? he at least feels like he can relax. like allura can relax. like there is a chance, in this moment, he is helping.

he's not usually this bad when it comes to everything - his self consciousness and worries usually pushed somewhere in the background, tucked behind everything (anything) else he could focus on instead. but the way that keith had looked at him, and how shiro had been so exhausted, and how allura - even now - tucks up against him, lance can't help but think if this was what could finally do voltron in.

but he won't. he won't let it. he made a promise to keith, and he'd make it to allura, too. he's not letting anything happen to her. to any of them. he won't.

so instead lance leans his head against the top of her's, his eyes on their hands as his fingers idly running his thumb along her hand. he doesn't notice, necessarily, how gentle of a movement it is - he has a hard time sitting still during any point in time, really. ]

If you say so, then that's good enough for me. [ he laughs. ]

[juniberries]

[Allura is exhausted too. From both her own bout with this illness, but from the similar weight of responsibility. She too, feels the weight of Keith and Shiro having taken the worst of the disease to a frightening level, and is equally frustrated with her inability to do anything about it. Her own abilities here are dampened, and even then, with her level of inexperience, could she even...

She shuts her eyes as the weight of him against her acts as a comfort. In a way that curling up alone in bed could hardly achieve. When you wake up 10,000 years into a future that still feels so foreign and impossible, the loneliness remains, especially when you find yourself alone with your own thoughts, your memories of happier times. But there are no holo-pictures in this room of her mother and father to even look to.

Though here, she has her friends. She has Lance.

Her breathing is slowing a bit, but only from feeling comfortable through the heaviness of her exhaustion, and his touch warms her to her very core. There's a sigh, a small breath of a laugh.]

I say so, because it is the truth. [It's said almost sleepily. But she's smiling.] And I mean it when I say that I cannot imagine Voltron without you, Lance.

[Her hand squeezes his.]

Thank you...for being here.

[cargoed]

[ he takes a breath, comforted by her relaxing against him. it's something he's missed, if he's being honest - this kind of comfort, being able to have the presence of someone next to him. it almost feels like, somehow, that always-present crush under his chest has lessened in light of just wanting to be here for her. to try and take care of someone for a change.

her breathing is slowing, and lance wonders - briefly - if she's going to fall asleep on him. he's comfortable enough he could probably stay there for some time, let her rest...

she laughs a bit at him and it has him smiling, always feeling a bit better when he hears it. ]

There would definitely be no Voltron without you. Or any of us, technically. [ and then her hand squeezes his, and she thanks him, and his chest tightens dangerously. oh. right. he's currently cuddled up with the princess, holding hands and just nearly falling asleep.

this is. this is dangerous.

but at the same time, he can also just be calm. for whatever reason, whatever powers have possessed him, this is...this is okay. ] I'll always be here for you, Allura. [ and if his voice is a little more honest than it has any right to be, well. they'll both just have to sit on that. ]

[juniberries]

We are all Voltron. [It sounds a bit silly, saying that out loud and only to Lance, not to a crowd or to leaders gathered for a Coalition meeting. But, it's the truth. Something she feels deep in her very being, even if her own doubts at being a paladin of Voltron still linger below the surface. Especially now, still emotionally torn about what had happened with Lotor.

But Lance is here. And as he says, he'll always be here for her, and at that her smile grows, drawing her legs up onto the bed and now resting her weight fully on him.]

You're a good friend. [Said with an honest warmth of her own, exhaled through a sleepy sigh. The honesty of what he says is noted, even through the haze of exhaustion and sick, but before she can truly compartmentalize what he means by it, acknowledge that how he says it echoes a lot of what she feels for him, sleep finally does claim her.

The tips of her ears are flush pink, and--

...she begins to snore.]

[cargoed]

[ he smiles, holding back a little of the laughter that boils up in him. she does have a point, they are all voltron, and the idea that anyone other than the group of them could be in those spots is....odd. no matter how much he feels like he is or isn't pulling his weight, it's....hard to imagine. he's still not sure what they're going to do about shiro, if he'll ever pilot again or if he'll just stay on the ground, it's...something they can figure out together.

as allura pulls her legs up, lance shifts so that she's more comfortable, turning slightly so her head isn't only on his extremely bony shoulder. he's focused on this movement when she says those words - you're a good friend - and lance pauses. there's a pang in his chest, something sharp and deep that he's become all too familiar with, but he feels himself smile all the same. still, he lets the words hang in the air between them for a few moments before he pulls himself a bit more together to answer, none of that earlier pain evident in his voice. ]

So are- [ he's about to say you, about to tell allura that she really should be getting back to bed, that the snore happens. the sound is sudden and lance freezes when he hears it, unsure of what it is for a moment before it dawns on him.

is allura...asleep? ]

.....princess? [ nothing. lance shifts slightly and feels the very nearly dead weight of allura against him. he turns again, setting his hands on her shoulders and letting her fall a little more heavily against him.

well. this is. the situation he's in now.

it takes a few moments before he decides the best course of action, slowly scooting them both back onto the bed. he's not sure he could get up without waking her, or if he could lift her straight up from the bed. he also doesn't want to wake her, so in a moment of genius he decides to just scoot back on her bed and pull her with him. very.....slowly..... ]

[juniberries]

[She’s fallen asleep somewhere in that silence, between her speaking and his response, so whatever weight hangs in the air between them is ultimately lost to her in the midst of what will likely be a dreamless, deep sleep.

But her body reacts to his, as he moves and as her body falls heavy against him. And deep down, whether reflexive or subconsciously, she doesn’t want to let go. So as he moves her, pulls her into bed close to him, she keeps that closeness by cuddling up close, nestling her head against his chest, the beat of his heart soothing in an intimate way.

She mutters something, a name or a word that starts with the letter ‘L,’ but it dissipates into a mutter, muffled against the cloth of his shirt as she nestles closer, body curling around him, an arm draping across his midriff, keeping herself close. Possessive in a way.

She’s not going to wake for awhile.]